Hiss-terrical show: Reptile Man’s cold-blooded menagerie brings warm vibes to La Conner

La Conner Elementary School students had a fang-tastic time last week with the famed Washington state Reptile Man and his collection of amazing critters.

Scott Petersen, easily La Conner’s second all-time favorite visitor — only Santa Claus exceeds him in popularity here — gave two on-campus shows on May 21, one during the school day and the other a primetime program.

Based in Monroe, Petersen, a former high school biology teacher, introduced La Conner kids to an all-star lineup of exotic animals, including a compact-sized alligator named Lucy, a long-necked softshell turtle, a limber monkey lizard, and crowd favorite “Oscar,” a massive albino Burmese python.

Petersen has averaged more than 500 shows per year since the 1980s, several of which have been at venues in La Conner.

Judging from the reception of his audiences at the elementary gym on May 21, Petersen’s magic — a delightful combination of encyclopedic knowledge and wry humor — remains intact.

Petersen drew “oohs” and “aahs” each time he introduced a new reptile. Laughter greeted his well-timed punch lines.

Lucy, though, was a scene stealer when she unexpectedly relieved herself on the gym floor.

Unfazed, Petersen quickly recovered.

“It’s OK,” he assured everyone. “Alligator pee doesn’t stink. It’s just Gatorade.”

La Conner Elementary art teacher Katie Wigal wasn’t surprised by Petersen’s verbal dexterity. She has attended previous Reptile Man shows and this time brought a picture taken of her with Oscar 25 years ago.

Wigal noted how Oscar, a gentle giant if ever there has been one, regularly endears himself to students.

“Oscar is a legend,” she said.

Wigal said the La Conner Elementary Culture Committee, of which she is a member, invited Petersen earlier in the school year to perform two shows here ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

Needless to say, the arrival of Petersen and his array of reptiles was much anticipated. Their appearance was immediately shell-ebrated, with the leathery and flexible turtle making a definite impression.

“He looks like a platypus,” one student exclaimed.

Next up was Tarzan the monkey lizard.

“Female monkey lizards have live babies about one-third the size of their adults,” Petersen said. “All without an epidural.”

Among other lesser-known facts that Petersen shared were:

• Gila monsters have the most powerful bite on Earth.

• A softshell turtle’s long neck helps it breathe easier while its lighter armor allows it to elude predatory alligators in water.

• Gabon vipers can eat a porcupine.

• Snakes shed their skins to rid themselves of parasites.

• Asian pythons have 10,000 muscles and can grow to 400 pounds.

Petersen’s most recent La Conner appearance might’ve garnered him another local gig.

“I want to invite him for my 20th birthday party,” Wigal’s daughter, Addison, a 2025 La Conner High grad, said afterward.

She had better book Petersen ASAP. Others likely have the same idea.

After all, the Reptile Man has logged over 25,000 presentations across four decades.

And he’s showing no signs of scaling back anytime soon.

Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.